Frostillicus
Footballguy
Magic Johnson's first retirement/AIDS announcement for me. I was 15 and he was my #1 idol. I not only thought he was out of the NBA but that he was going to die.
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What is the most you've ever cried or most emotional you've gotten about sports (good or bad)? (3 Viewers)
- Thread starter Frostillicus
- Start date
KarmaPolice
Footballguy
I was going to say retirements or HOF speeches of people i loved watching play. A recent one was the Ichiro celebrations this year.
JohnnyU
Footballguy
As an avid UK fan, this one hurt me bad. 1992 NCAA East Regional Final between Kentucky and Duke, Christian Laettner's iconic buzzer-beater after an 80-foot pass from Grant Hill to win 104-103.. Probably the greatest game ever played. I just fell to my knees. I still hate Laettner.
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northern exposure
Footballguy
My best friend died in 2011. When the CFL team we both loved won the league championship on their home turf in 2013, I bawled like a baby. I wish he could have been there to enjoy it with me. I shed a few tears when they won it this season too.
RIP Rod, you were one of the best!
RIP Rod, you were one of the best!
JohnnyU
Footballguy
Another one that stung was the “Ghost to the post game” in 1977, a playoff game when the Colts lost to the Raiders in double overtime 37-31. Dave Casper caught a crucial 42-yard pass from QB Ken Stabler to set up the game-tying field goal in the final seconds. Casper scored the winning TD in OT, solidifying its place as one of the greatest playoff games ever. Probably Bert Jones best shot at a Super Bowl.
Can’t all be bad, so I was giddy when Colts Jim O’Brien kicked the game winning field goal to beat the Cowboys 16-13 in Super Bowl V.
Can’t all be bad, so I was giddy when Colts Jim O’Brien kicked the game winning field goal to beat the Cowboys 16-13 in Super Bowl V.
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Bob Sacamano
Footballguy
The Catch
But I was 8, and it was an excellent primer for being a young Cowboys fan in the 80s.
I can't say sports really effect me that way. I never thought I'd see a Blues Stanley Cup win, but even that wasn't tear-jerking emotional for me. Probably why my wife says I'm dead inside.
But I was 8, and it was an excellent primer for being a young Cowboys fan in the 80s.
I can't say sports really effect me that way. I never thought I'd see a Blues Stanley Cup win, but even that wasn't tear-jerking emotional for me. Probably why my wife says I'm dead inside.
Keith R
The Don
Since the OP cited Magic's HIV diagnosis, I'll go bleak for my pick.
1999, was watching a WWF PPV. They informed the audience that Owen Hart had fallen from the rafters into the ring. Within the hour, as the show went on, we were notified that Owen had died. I cried for a week and even went to the mountains and poured out his favorite drink for him - milk.
1999, was watching a WWF PPV. They informed the audience that Owen Hart had fallen from the rafters into the ring. Within the hour, as the show went on, we were notified that Owen had died. I cried for a week and even went to the mountains and poured out his favorite drink for him - milk.
Don Quixote
Footballguy
Dale Earnhardt’s death sticks out. He was my favorite driver, and I was watching the race when the crash happened and kept watching through the post-race.
On the good side, probably Nats winning the World Series or Caps winning the cup. Maybe would give the edge to the Nats — not sure I’ve ever jumped and yelled as loud as I did when Howie Kendrick hit that blast off the foul pole.
On the good side, probably Nats winning the World Series or Caps winning the cup. Maybe would give the edge to the Nats — not sure I’ve ever jumped and yelled as loud as I did when Howie Kendrick hit that blast off the foul pole.
eighsse2
Footballguy
Bengals winning the AFC Championship a few years ago. That span of time between then and the Super Bowl loss was like living in a completely foreign universe.
ETA: On the negative end, one of those 7 consecutive one-and-dones from the Bengals spanning the Palmer and Dalton eras, I think maybe it was the one against the Colts, the following day was extremely bitter cold (I work partially outside so I can't really just avoid the weather), and just made for such a day of despair.
ETA: On the negative end, one of those 7 consecutive one-and-dones from the Bengals spanning the Palmer and Dalton eras, I think maybe it was the one against the Colts, the following day was extremely bitter cold (I work partially outside so I can't really just avoid the weather), and just made for such a day of despair.
JohnnyU
Footballguy
I was watching that Daytona 500 at Champs sports bar. Very sad.
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Zow
Footballguy
As a fan, Gary Anderson miss in 1998. I was 15 and in a bowling alley bar. Nearly cried. Second would be when Mets lost to the Yankees in the Subway Series.
As a player, I had a pretty good idea that it would be my last at-bat in competitive baseball before I left for AZ to start my career. Got a hit (solid line drive in the 5-6 hole, emblematic of me being a good but never a great player despite best efforts). Got pretty emotional because it was done and almost cried on first base. I loved baseball since I could walk and always wanted to go somewhere with it despite not being talented. This was emotional because it became evident to me that I never would.
This is close with me getting the game winning hit to win the CYO eastern PA championship or something in 8th grade. Right before the season, our coach's wife and a teammate's mom died from cancer and apparently* one of her dying wishes was for us to win this championship. My coach cried a lot and privately came up to me and hugged me. I think his emotion got to me but felt pretty great.
*I wasn't that close to my teammate (he actually bullied me) nor my coach but this was what I was told.
As a player, I had a pretty good idea that it would be my last at-bat in competitive baseball before I left for AZ to start my career. Got a hit (solid line drive in the 5-6 hole, emblematic of me being a good but never a great player despite best efforts). Got pretty emotional because it was done and almost cried on first base. I loved baseball since I could walk and always wanted to go somewhere with it despite not being talented. This was emotional because it became evident to me that I never would.
This is close with me getting the game winning hit to win the CYO eastern PA championship or something in 8th grade. Right before the season, our coach's wife and a teammate's mom died from cancer and apparently* one of her dying wishes was for us to win this championship. My coach cried a lot and privately came up to me and hugged me. I think his emotion got to me but felt pretty great.
*I wasn't that close to my teammate (he actually bullied me) nor my coach but this was what I was told.
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Frostillicus
Footballguy
urbanhack
Fight The Power!
When Purdue made the final four a few years ago. It was the connection with my dad. We weren't all that close but one of the only ties that bound us together was Purdue basketball. I was too young to enjoy the 1980 FF with him way back in the day and then never got to experience this one as he passed about 10 years ago.
JohnnyU
Footballguy
Around that time in 1999 Gary Anderson lived down the street from me and Jake Reed a few doors down. These were townhome rentals in Hopkins, MN, suburb of Minneapolis, near Minnetonka. We used to waive at Anderson when he was outside while going for a walk around Shady Oak Lake.
Should have I yelled WIDE LEFT?
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Gatorade
Footballguy
. I hate Joe Montana and Dwight Clark
JohnnyU
Footballguy
Don’t hate on those that have passed
titusbramble
Footballguy
Southgate missing that penalty in 1996
Gatorade
Footballguy
I hate Terry Bradshaw too.Don’t hate on those that have passed
Probably even more.
BlackCrowes
Footballguy
79 Sugar Bowl. 4 tries from the one yard line. 
DA RAIDERS
Footballguy
Magic
Tuck rule
04 Sox
Tuck rule
04 Sox
Great question, i'll go with these 2:
Len Bias dying, was 15 at the time, was just in shock
When Mariano Rivera gave up 2 runs in bottom of the ninth in 2001 and Yanks lost the World Series. Was right after 9/11 and just remember wanting them to win so bad. Rivera entered the game with Yanks up 2-1 and dude was untouchable in the playoffs, Yanks winning almost seemed like a foregone conclusion, but it wasn't to be that day, was just so bummed.
Len Bias dying, was 15 at the time, was just in shock
When Mariano Rivera gave up 2 runs in bottom of the ninth in 2001 and Yanks lost the World Series. Was right after 9/11 and just remember wanting them to win so bad. Rivera entered the game with Yanks up 2-1 and dude was untouchable in the playoffs, Yanks winning almost seemed like a foregone conclusion, but it wasn't to be that day, was just so bummed.
JohnnyU
Footballguy
Which one of your teams did Terry beat in the Super Bowl?I hate Terry Bradshaw too.Don’t hate on those that have passed
Probably even more.
General Malaise
Footballguy
Yup, The Catch broke a young GM so badly he crawled under the kitchen table and melted down.
Watched ESPN's 30 for 30 on Jimmy V "Survive and Advance" the other night and cried hard. The world lost a prince of a man.
And any time they replay the DJ Stuey Scott clip asking his daughters to come up on stage for a hug, I lose it. Instant water works.
Boomer Esiason talking about his son - his hero - Gunnar.....that chokes me up.
JohnnyU
Footballguy
Oh yes, that was glorious. I was in a pool hall shooting pool watching on an overhead smallish TV. I felt very proud watching that.
I love the movie too.
Bob Sacamano
Footballguy
Yeah, I don't really consider that stuff sports. That's life adjacent to sports. Those guys knew they were going to die as they're standing up there saying those things. Having been through my dad's cancer and death, which is definitely the thing that's gotten me the most emotional in my life, that stuff gets me more than it used to.
Zow
Footballguy
Agreed. I kept that sort of stuff out of consideration.
msudaisy26
Footballguy
2000 MSU won the NCAA title. I cried when we won watching the game with a ton of people on campus and then cried on the way back to my dorm room. It was very scary walking the last half mile back myself, people were crazy, a lot of things on fire, and cars being tipped over.
2004 Red Sox. Everyone in New England had someone they wanted to win it for. My grandfather was born in August 1918. As I kid I can remember him saying he wanted to live long enough to actually see them win one. But he died in October 2001. He had dementia the last few years, but even to the end if the game was on TV he'd ask if they were winning.
Charlie Steiner
Footballguy
I was too numb to cry. On a related note, I almost lost it when I finally went to a Terps game at that abomination they built after they closed Cole Field House, because at halftime they brought out Lefty and the '84 ACC Tournament championship team. Lenny was the tournament MVP and that was probably my favorite iteration of any MD team in my 50+ years now of Terps hoops. I also say this every time Len Bias is mentioned: his teammate Keith Gatlin would have been a lottery pick the next year if Lenny hadn't died. He's the one who embarrassed Kenny Smith at the Dean Dome by passing to himself on an inbound pass by bouncing it off Kenny's back and then dropping in the coup-de-gras and handing the Tar Heels their first ever loss in that venue.
The time I actually cried and cried the most was the '72 Olympic basketball game between the USSR and USA, when the Ruskies got 3 do-overs to finally get the winning basket.
I also got pretty choked up watching my son's last college baseball game. Their best chance to finally get to the College World Series has been stolen from them the year before because he and several other starters tested positive for Covid on the eve of the conference playoffs, and they just didn't have the pitching his last year. The last out of the game came with him on deck.
northern exposure
Footballguy
I guess I'm just a crybaby. When my youngest son played his last high school football game as a Senior and called an audible to do a QB sneak (and scored) from the 2 when the whole stadium expected him to hand it off ...tears were shed. The smile on his face was so big it’s burned in my memory. They won the league championship.
Corporation
Angry Bovine
I started watching Alabama football at 5 years old. In 1978 they won the national title, then in 1979 they went undefeated and won the national title. My 7 year old brain could not comprehend Alabama losing to Mississippi State 6 -3 in 1980, breaking the winning streak. My 81 year old dad will still sometimes imitate me, crying "Bear Bryant can't lose a game!!!!".
The sickest I've ever been in person was the Camback Iron Bowl. A sponsor treated me to pregame things, I was on the field at kickoff (standing on the wall behind Trent Richardson). Should have been one of the greatest experiences ever until Cam did his thing. He was a special player, but I left the game just utterly sick. I try not to think about the Kick Six.
The sickest I've ever been in person was the Camback Iron Bowl. A sponsor treated me to pregame things, I was on the field at kickoff (standing on the wall behind Trent Richardson). Should have been one of the greatest experiences ever until Cam did his thing. He was a special player, but I left the game just utterly sick. I try not to think about the Kick Six.
Leroy Hoard
Footballguy
The first time the Lions win a Superbowl. I've already got my Honolulu blue and silver crying towel ready for the occasion.
STEADYMOBBIN 22
Footballguy
When Kobe died.
Very distant second was when Emmitt dove over a pile in the end zone and landed on his neck funny.
Very distant second was when Emmitt dove over a pile in the end zone and landed on his neck funny.
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snellman
Footballguy
As other Vikings fans have said, the Gary Anderson kick hurt. (I still can't watch a replay of that game)
More Depressing for me though was the Loss to the Saints in 2010. Despite despising the Packers, I was always a Brett Favre fan. It was fun to watch him play. That year was such a fun year to watch. The loss to the Saints in the NFC championship was so depressing because not only because of the loss, but because the magical season was over. That was probably the most fun season I have ever had watching the Vikings
Did I cry? No, but I was extremely bummed.
More Depressing for me though was the Loss to the Saints in 2010. Despite despising the Packers, I was always a Brett Favre fan. It was fun to watch him play. That year was such a fun year to watch. The loss to the Saints in the NFC championship was so depressing because not only because of the loss, but because the magical season was over. That was probably the most fun season I have ever had watching the Vikings
Did I cry? No, but I was extremely bummed.
General Malaise
Footballguy
For sure, I went sports' adjacent there so maybe not germane. But the OP led with an off-the court story so......
General Malaise
Footballguy
Bob Sacamano
Footballguy
Nah. Just telling you why I didn't consider those things. Not right or wrong.
MAC_32
Footballguy
Regional track meet Jr year. We had a good, but not great, 4x800 team and the competition was stacked that year. We concocted a plan that probably wasn't going to work, but it was the only way we'd make states.
We put our best leg out first. He handed off in the lead as expected in 1:55. Leg #2 was not expected. This guy topped out at 2:05 in-season. Mother ****er uncorked a 1:58, never relinquishing the lead, then handed off to me. My best to date was about the same as #2, maybe a second faster. First lap? 57. I didn't run scared. I ran terrified. No one caught him, no one can catch you! Second lap was just a fog of suffrage. I vaguely remembered handing off, but I definitely came to laying in n the infield. One and only time I broke 2 mins. I had no burst, it was all guts. And according to photographic evidence I handed off in 2nd with 3rd nearly stride-for-stride.
Our last leg was the weakest. An Irish flat foot, topped out at 2:10. His job, stay on #3's hip until his body couldn't take it anymore, cause he was gonna get out kicked. Somehow came through lap one in 60 flat. He did his job, but there was a pack closing in on him. What seemed inevitable on the back stretch appeared to come to on the final curve when suddenly, he surged. He had something left! That final straightaway was the most emotionally I have ever been in any event, sport or otherwise. I won't speak for the other couple dozen on the team, but I'm sure it's up there. He never slowed from that initial surge, but at meter 3,199 genes won out. He was passed on the final stride, collapsed as he crossed the line, and like any teenager without developed emotional coping experience, I smothered my face with my hands and down to the pavement. Along with most of the others. Dejected silence directly around us with a track meet somewhere in the distance.
That school record of 7:57.18 will come down some day. It hasn't yet. And if only that record were 7:57.16.
We put our best leg out first. He handed off in the lead as expected in 1:55. Leg #2 was not expected. This guy topped out at 2:05 in-season. Mother ****er uncorked a 1:58, never relinquishing the lead, then handed off to me. My best to date was about the same as #2, maybe a second faster. First lap? 57. I didn't run scared. I ran terrified. No one caught him, no one can catch you! Second lap was just a fog of suffrage. I vaguely remembered handing off, but I definitely came to laying in n the infield. One and only time I broke 2 mins. I had no burst, it was all guts. And according to photographic evidence I handed off in 2nd with 3rd nearly stride-for-stride.
Our last leg was the weakest. An Irish flat foot, topped out at 2:10. His job, stay on #3's hip until his body couldn't take it anymore, cause he was gonna get out kicked. Somehow came through lap one in 60 flat. He did his job, but there was a pack closing in on him. What seemed inevitable on the back stretch appeared to come to on the final curve when suddenly, he surged. He had something left! That final straightaway was the most emotionally I have ever been in any event, sport or otherwise. I won't speak for the other couple dozen on the team, but I'm sure it's up there. He never slowed from that initial surge, but at meter 3,199 genes won out. He was passed on the final stride, collapsed as he crossed the line, and like any teenager without developed emotional coping experience, I smothered my face with my hands and down to the pavement. Along with most of the others. Dejected silence directly around us with a track meet somewhere in the distance.
That school record of 7:57.18 will come down some day. It hasn't yet. And if only that record were 7:57.16.
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